NDE (near-death experience) reports have strengthened my belief in the afterlife. However, NDEs are also bewildering in that no 2 NDEs are identical. Furthermore, the images of Heaven and Hell are different among even Christians. NDEs are therefore not conclusive regarding the reality of Heaven and Hell. This leads me to think that the spiritual world is really a big mystery so that each of us could only get a limited glimpse of the ultimate reality.
A common characteristic of NDEs is anout-of-body experience. For example, NDErs may see, and later accurately describe, their own resuscitation. They saw ongoing events from a location apart from the physical body while unconscious (out-of-body). Some NDErs even reported seeing dead relatives unknown to them previously whom could be verified after their coming back to life (e.g. EbenAlexander, Colton Burpo said he met hismiscarried sister). Such facts (or evidence) are the reasonable evidence for the Christian belief in the Afterlife. Consequently, the belief of our essence as spirits is no longer far-fetched or imaginary.
While Swedenborg’s writings are a source of inspiration for his readers, I need to point out that he is unorthodox over a number of Church doctrines. For instance, Hell is chosen by those entering it without compulsion. He opined that we choose either Heaven or Hell according to what we love most. Besides, Swedenborg is a Unitarian rather than Trinitarian. There are other deviations, too. Thus, you have to decide if you’d like to research any further about Swedenborg. According to Swedenborg, one has to decide and pick one’s choice with a diligent exercise of one’s free will and rationality.
Though I am not a Swedenborgian, I’m inspired by his ideas about God (as the union of Love and Truth), Jesus becoming the Divine Human, we are endowed with free will and rationality by God and there is a Divine Design in the Creation, etc. Obviously, I remain neutral over ideas which are beyond my understanding or rationality. For example, I am uncertain what will happen exactly in Heaven and Hell after my earthly journey and of the existence of alien life forms in other planets. In fact, there is a lot for me to learn and reflect upon as I’ve accepted that the spiritual world is a big mystery.
Swedenborg is right in pointing out that the Church is where there is the Word and through which the Lord Jesus (God) would be made known to the believer. Thus, the Lord’s Church include both a congregation and the individual believer as long as the aforementioned definition is met. Furthermore, the Church can be physical and spiritual. Unfortunately, the phenomenon of denominationalism among contemporary Christian churches is harmful to the idea of an earthly Catholic Church. My stand is that we should be honest and refrain ourselves from the unnecessary and unfruitful argument over profound spiritual mysteries beyond our understanding (e.g. the Great Tribulation and the second coming of the Lord Jesus) as no human being is as omniscient as God.
A word on truth is required here. How do we know truth? My answer is twofold. First, human beings can discover truth (relative) through experience and reasoning. In this respect, our quest for truth is progressive and the concerned journey is endless. For instance, ancient philosophers such as Empedocles argued that all matter was composed of four elements while modern scientific discovery leads us to the atomic theory to explain what matter is. It is important to note that the essence of knowing involves human sensing, rationality, experiment (experience) and reasonable choice.
Second, Christians believe in God who is the ultimate absolute Truth. If we accept that God is ultimate in terms of existence and causation, we would likely accept Swedenborg’s idea that the knowledge of God’s nature is mainly given through divine revelation. This is because our earthly capability is limited while God is infinite. As an illustration, you can refer to Robert Kuhn’s quest for truth at “What is Truth? | Episode1405 | Closer To Truth”.
My search of Truth in relation to my faith follows a similar quest of Kuhn’s. Indeed, the emerging ideas of quantum mechanics where the atomic events are mainly probabilistic and challenges from the agenda where gender is redefined as what one wish to be do stimulate my understanding of both the cosmos and the human race. How could I understand and explain such worldly phenomena when the Bible teaches us a different world view?
As I am just an ordinary person, I have no ground to claim that I know God or Truth. Nevertheless, my experience does lead me to build up my faith in the Lord Jesus. Swedenborg’s writings on his spiritual experiences give me much enlightenment and help. For example, evil or Satan is the lack (or breach) of divine Good rather than a substantial existence. The essence of a person is what he/she loves most. Altruistic persons (who love the Lord and their neighbors) belong to Heaven while egoistic (who love the world and themselves) Hell.
My article is aimed at sharing and exchanging views and understanding. It also helps me test my understanding and use of my ability. I hope I can stir up your interest to honestly and rationally discover your priorities and life purpose. If you agree to free will and rationality as fundamental human instincts, using and applying such instincts could benefit you in your discovery of your purpose and existence of God.
Let me quote Proverb 25:2 as a summary:
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
May God bless us!
Howard
